Resources

Know the Rules

Before you start working, you should know what your employer can and cannot require of you. As a young worker you are limited in the types of jobs and number of hours you can work. The rules are different for agricultural work. States also have rules, and employers must follow both.

Rules vary by age group. Click the one that applies to you:

Federal law establishes certain safety standards and restrictions for young workers. If you are not yet 18, you are prohibited from being employed in occupations that have been declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor.